OKWUeagle.com

by Hannah Hopkins
OKWUeagle.com Staff Writer

Many students approach the end of their college career with questions about their next steps. Graduate school becomes a very real possibility. This article will address several of the main questions students have regarding the graduate school process.

What is graduate school?

Graduate school is a focused academic pursuit of a master’s degree or doctoral degree. Unlike undergraduate education, grad school tightly focuses on one academic area so that the student can become more knowledgeable and prepared for their prospective career.

So should I go to grad school? Isn’t four years of education enough to get a decent job?

Not necessarily.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, students who earn a master’s degree gain an edge in the competitive economy and earn more over the course of their career than people who only have a bachelor’s degree.

Advanced degrees may be a requirement for specialized areas of study as well. For example, students interested in law or medical careers are required to have a bachelor’s degree as well as their professional degrees. Education majors may find that a master’s degree will give them career advancement opportunities they may not have otherwise.

For Rachel Hammon, a 2009 OKWU graduate and music education major, grad school plays a significant part in accomplishing her goals. She now attends grad school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“I wanted to learn more about my instrument and music in general. I also hope to be a college professor and/or professional performer one day, and I knew this was the next step I needed to take to accomplish both of those goals,” Hammon said. “It will definitely strengthen my bachelor’s degree, it’s much more specialized to just ‘music,’ without any general education requirements.”

Is grad school right for me?

Some professions require a master’s degree or even a doctorate degree for employment and promotions. Some simply require a bachelor’s degree. It is important to know what your potential profession requires.

Johnathan Warlick, a senior Communication Arts major, knows that graduate school is not in his future.

“I have considered going to grad school, but decided not to because the career I want to go in — web design and development — does not really need a graduate degree,” Warlick says.

As a student currently in grad school, Hammon offers advice for students hesitant about choosing to pursue an advanced degree.

“If you’re not certain what you want to major in or what you want to do with your life, I wouldn’t encourage undergrad students to go to grad school, it could turn out to be a waste of money or time,” Hammom says.

The thought of a higher earning potential should not be the only reason to pursue graduate studies because it requires a lot of time and commitment. Students considering grad school should be keenly interested in their selected area of study.

Dr. Doug Quick, OKWU biology professor, urges students to seek God about graduate school and their future.

“Life is directed by God. Ask Him what He wants you to do and where you should go,” Quick says. “Grad school is mind changing,” Dr. Quick advises. “It is ten times harder than undergrad. You develop discipline. You need to make sure you’re doing something you really love.”

When should I start looking at grad schools?

According to Quick, students should start looking into graduate school during the summer after their sophomore year of college. Students should make a list of all the schools offering degrees in their fields.

When looking at graduate schools, it is important to research the professors of the program as much as the school itself. Be sure to find the best programs and professors for the selected field.

The research process for Hammon was time consuming but rewarding.

“I printed off a huge list of music schools and researched each one, eventually cutting a list of 100-some schools down to 15,” Hammon says.

“From there I researched each particular clarinet professor until I had about nine schools. Then I e-mailed each professor and based on the responses I got from each one, I chose 3-4 schools to apply to and audition.”

How do I get in?

Every graduate school has different requirements for admission but the most common requirement is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a standardized test that evaluates potential graduate students in the areas of mathematics, vocabulary, and analytical writing. It costs $150 and the best time to take this test is the fall of a student’s senior year.

Applying to several schools cannot hurt an applicant, so students should not be hesitant to apply to multiple programs. Even if the student is not accepted to a program, the selection process is beneficial.

After selecting a graduate school, however, the student should extend the courtesy of notifying the other school that they will not be attending.

Final Advice

Students should not be intimidated or overwhelmed by the thought of graduate school. Being informed and researching all possible options after graduation is the best way to prepare for the future.

Also, many graduate schools offer graduate assistantships in the area of study that help pay for tuition and can also include a stipend.

“Know that God has you there on purpose and He has you exactly where He wants you,” Hammon encourages prospective graduate students. “Remember that the things you do are for His glory, not for you to climb up the ‘academic ladder’ or to promote yourself. Take time to learn and grow during the experience!”